More Paris

Okay continuing from the earlier post... The next day, which was Thursday, I got my first taste of the museum scene in Paris. We went to the mega museum the Louvre!!! And I loved it. I could spend months in that place! So may originals that I have studied time and again right in front of my face. I was so overwhelmed, I didn't know what to do with myself. I saw things like the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Early Christian Art Icons, David (Early french painter), Italian Art. I just couldn't believe what I was looking at!! After drooling over the masters, I had a quick lunch and I met one of my professors at Notre Dame. See most of the students had the mornings and nights free and then scheduled field trips throughout the morning and afternoon. But since my major was not actually in Lacoste, I had no scheduled time except the main museums. I was free!! Anyways I met my history professor because we were going to Sainte Chapelle.

Sainte Chapelle, the chapel of light, as it is referred to in the history books was an interesting visit. It is now located in the center of the liberty courtyard. So there is heavy security to get to it. But after mustering our way through all the people waiting in line to get their drivers licence renewed and taxes appealed, we arrived at the chapel of light. Sainte Chapelle was originally built as a chapel to King Louis IX and he held services and concerts there. Lets just say I can see why!!! I walked into this tiny chapel, and was overwhelmed by colors. The colors came from the light reflecting off the stain glass windows!! The walls are non existent in this space, the structure is made entirely of stained glass! To say that it was beautiful is an understatement, so the only thing I can say was that it was magnificent. Then to put the cherry on the ice cream sunday, we found out there was a violin concert that night in the chapel and they still had tickets. So my professor and I bought a couple and decided to come back later.

In the mean time, to burn some daylight hours, I decided to return to Notre Dame for a tour and to climb the towers. The main church was just exquisite. I mean I have studied this church multiple times, especially for its unique transfer between styles because it took so long to build. But I was blow away with the massiveness of the space!! It was huge. And the rose windows were something else entirely. I have never see such detail on such a huge scale. I could have sat there for hours just looking at the once rose window...and there are three of them. I also got to climb the 500 stairs to the very top of Notre Dame. Let me tell you the way up the winding narrow stair case was nothing....the way down however was the scariest thing I have ever experienced. I was dizzy and wondering if it was ever going to end. But the view from Notre Dame was inspiring. You can see all of Paris from the top. And you also get to see the gargoyles which are pretty fantastic as well as terrifying!!! I also saw the big bells the towers use to ring in the hours. They are massive!! So everything fits. A massive space with massive bells and creepy gargoyles what more could you want right???

I made it to the bottom just as my shaky legs gave out. I decoded to sketch the cathedral so I had ample time to rest my legs. Then it was back to Sainte Chapelle for the violin concert. And it was breathtaking. I think I sat on the edge of my seat the entire 2 hours. There were 2 violins players, 1 viola and 1 chelo players and the soloist. They played Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Mozart's Nocturnes. And I just sat there entranced for the whole thing!!! I think it was the best thing I did in Paris, besides the great museums. Surrounded by illuminated glass and gold and hearing the echoing music was just heavenly. I really had a good time.

And after that I went to bed. Exhausted after a busy day. And unfortunately thats all I going to write about now. I will tell the next part of the story tomorrow....I am going to try to post some pictures and possibly some videos. Enjoy!!